that was kind of scaring the people in baltimore city. and fort mchenry was the only thing standing in between the british ships and baltimore city. >> can you describe fort mchenry to us? >> absolutely. from the air, the fort looks like a giant star. it has points on it called "bastions" so that the cannons can have crossfire all the way around the fort. and fort mchenry is named for james mchenry. he was the secretary of war at the time fort mchenry was being built. >> we are standing on the parade ground. this grassy area is where troops would muster for various ceremonies, such as inspection, morning parade, and whatnot. around us are the barracks. they would have been -- back in 1814, they would have been one story. the second story was added in 1829. the fort as you see it now, in general, looks more like it would have done in the civil war. >> the american general in charge of the fort wanted to show the british that we weren't afraid. so, he sent word here, to the home of mary pickersgill. mary was a well-known flag maker. so, mar